Two 2540# trailer wheels for $201

[Greg]

I believe the earlier trailers had 3500# axles, later models have 4000# axles.

[Chip Hindes]

Can't say for sure. My guess of 3500 lbs is based on comparing what I have ('01 26X, though the trailer is listed as an '00) with what's offered in the Champion catalog.

The axle capacity in the catalog is based on the spindle size regardless of the axle tube size, which in turn dictates the sizes of the bearings. The 1 3/8 x 1 1/16 spindle axles (which match those on my trailer) are all rated at 3500 lbs. The next larger size is 1 3/4 x 1 1/4 and is 5200 lb capacity.

I believe I saw the same jump (3500 to 5200) in another catalog as well.

I further note that all hubs sized for the larger 5200 lb spindles are 6 lug.

Do you know where the 4000 lb number came from?

[Greg]

During the info gathering phase - before I bought the boat- someone told me that the earlier trailers had a round axle rated at 3500# and the later models had a square 4000# axle plus galvanized backing plates to prevent rust. I didn't persue it any further than that since I decided to get a late model boat.

I agree with your estimation of 4000 and 4500 lbs for a loaded boat, which makes me wonder if anyone has experienced an axle failure?

[Chip Hindes]

Don't know anything about a round tube axle; every 26X axle I've ever seen is a 2" x 3" rectangular tube. I note the 5200 lb axle in the Champion catalog also has a 2 x 3 rectangular tube, adding to the idea the axle capacity is based on the spindles, not the axle tube.

If this is the case, I think axle "failure" would normally take the form of a frozen bearing and/or broken spindle. I've heard of a few, but certainly there are other things than overloading which would cause such failures, so it might be hard to draw any conslusions.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

My 1996 26x made in Dec of 1995 has the larger square tube axle with the smaller 5 bolt hubs.

[Greg]

I guess that goes to show you, you can't believe everything you hear!

I just looked in the Redneck Trailer Supplues catalogue and the axle packages go from 3500# to 6000#.

I wonder if they all used the same spring capacity, mine has a 5 leaf spring.

[BK]

I never knew you could subtract tongue weight from the loaded boat. Great! Going with Mark's fiqures, I would say the boat load is OK with the 14" tires as long as you keep the boat load wth no water or gas. Get those items just after launching. Also, 2 tire guys I talked with said there is a built in safety factor of +5% before it blows.
I was going with with 15" tires before this latest info.

[Chip Hindes]

Also, 2 tire guys I talked with said there is a built in safety factor of +5% before it blows.

Don't know about your particular tire guys, but about 90% of the tire salesmen I've talked to know doodly squat about tires.

I suppose you could say there's a "built in safety factor" on a tire rating, but if you assume that you can run your 1870 pound tires at 1870, or below, or 1870 plus 5% you'll be good forever, while running them at 1870 plus 6% will cause an immediate failure, you'll be wrong. Mechanical stuff doesn't work that way.

If you're running your tires near, at or above capacity, even by a small amount, you're pushing the envelope, and there's no margin for towing on an extra hot day, or a few extra pounds on the boat you forgot to count, or an unplanned amount of extra fuel in the tanks after a sail, or a five psi error on your tire gauge. You do check them every time you stop, right?

My comments were not meant to discourage someone from upgrading their tires. I do believe they're the weakest link and if anything should be upgraded, they should be first on the list.